GATE CITY — A Kingsport man who pleaded guilty to sparking a high-speed chase last year that left a Virginia State Police trooper with permanent spinal injuries had his sentencing delayed due to Tuesday’s snowy weather.

A sentencing hearing for Jason T. Byrns had been scheduled for Wednesday morning, but a continuance was granted the day prior due to the worsening weather conditions. A new hearing date is expected to be set by Thursday afternoon.

Byrns pleaded guilty Nov. 20, 2013 to more than a dozen charges that stem from an April 2013 chase and wreck that left VSP Trooper Jamie Lawson with a severe spinal injury and struggling to walk.

As a result of those charges — which include aggravated malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer, assault and battery of a law enforcement officer and felony destruction of property, among others — Byrns faces a sentence of life plus 64 years in prison.

Lawson was forced to retire last year from the VSP due to the injuries he sustained.